Ride Kaohsiung to Kenting

Price

Duration

Level

Tour Code

Explore Tropical Southern Taiwan by Bicycle

A stunningly diverse ride through Taiwan’s indigenous heartlands, from highland hot springs to the beautiful beaches of Kenting. This compact cycle tour explores some of the best southern Taiwan has to offer and is the perfect trip for those after a quick getaway with a mixture of active adventure and relaxation.

Quality Bikes
Giant Fastroad or E-bike

Your Guide
Expert leader

Group Size
2 to 14

AccommodationComfortable hotels, guesthouses

ActivitiesRide/hike

Minimum Age
16

Overview

Taiwan’s deep south is a land of banana palms, pineapple fields and fringing coral reefs. Away from the coast, huge mountains dominate the landscape and are home to a number of indigenous Taiwanese communities including the Rukai and Paiwan, many of whom continue to live a traditional existence (albeit with a few modern twists), just a stone’s throw from the bright lights of Kaohsiung.

Our ride presents ever-changing views of the rich Taiwanese countryside, mango orchards, papaya and dragon fruit plantations, Buddhist temples, Christian churches, and maybe even the odd monkey or snake. Along the way, you’ll find numerous hot springs which are perfect to soothe aching muscles after a day in the saddle. The ride ends in Kenting, Taiwan’s tropical playground, where there are endless activities on offer including hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing.

The distances and predominantly downhill nature of the ride make it readily achievable for most riders of reasonable fitness.

Pedal assist E-bikes are an available option on this tour for $275.

230 Km riding. The distances and predominantly downhill nature of the ride makes it readily achievable for most riders of reasonable fitness. Our first day in the mountains around Baolai allows riders to get a feel for their bikes and the gears on traffic-free roads at altitudes of 500-1000m. The next couple of days are predominantly downhill, whilst the longest day’s riding, from Santimen to Sizhongxi is almost entirely flat.

Highlights

Explore Fo Guang Shan Monastery, home to an enormous Buddha statue, talk to nuns and monks and try calligraphy or meditation.

Pedal along the Lanonong River with incredible views of the Southern Mountains before a refreshing swim in a mountain pool.

Cycle to an indigenous Paiwan village to soak your legs in hot springs before a traditional meal.

Hike through coral passageways, past dark caverns, looking out for monkeys and deer in Kenting National Park.

Day to Day

Expand All

Day 1Cycle to Baolai

Riding: 20-30km cycling

Meal: BLD

This morning we’ll meet in central Kaohsiung, and transfer out of the city to the massive complex of Fo Guang Shan Monastery, home to one of the world’s biggest Buddhist statues. We’ll have the opportunity to chat with some of the nuns and monks and possibly try our hand at calligraphy or meditation.
After a chance to soak up the surroundings, we’ll enjoy a local meal before continuing to the indigenous mountain village of Baolai. On arrival, we’ll have a bike fitting and then take a short but steep ride further into the mountains. In the evening we’ll have a full briefing of the adventure ahead and a dinner of local specialties. After dinner, there will be time to enjoy the private hot springs in your room.

Day 2Cycle to Santimen

Riding: 60km cycling

Meal: BLD

Our ride today follows the course of the Laonong River, one of the island’s best whitewater rafting rivers, with the huge Southern Mountains ominous and ever-present to the left. We’ll get great views of the 18 Arhats (aka “Little Guilin”) as we move along the valley, and if it gets too hot there’s the chance to take a dip in a refreshing mountain pool. Ride’s end is a lovely resort near the village of Santimen, a living showcase of indigenous Paiwan and Rukai culture.

Day 3Cycle to Sizhongxi

Riding: 90km cycling

Meal: BLD

Our longest day’s ride is also the flattest as we continue south on a lovely little road which skirts the mountains, eventually joining the main coastal route to the tropical south. Towards the end of the day, we’ll pedal inland to the Paiwan village of Sizhongxi where yet more soothing hot springs await. In the evening we’ll head out for a traditional indigenous meal.

Day 4Cycle to Kenting

Riding: 50km cycling

Meal: BLD

Our final day’s ride is a cracker, crossing the spine of the Hengchun Peninsula to emerge on the rugged Pacific East Coast. From here we’ll pedal our way to the island’s southernmost point, and then it’s just a short ride to beautiful Kenting. In the afternoon there’ll be time for some snorkeling or surfing, or to just relax by the hotel pool with a book. In the evening we'll get together for a final dinner to celebrate our southern adventure.

Day 5Hike Kenting National Park, Conclude in Kaohsiung

Meal: B

This morning we’ll head up into Kenting’s rugged national park, which offers fantastic views of the whole peninsula. We’ll hike through uplifted coral passageways, eerie caverns and past giant banyans, possibly spotting monkeys, eagles, deer and even snakes. After our hike, we’ll return to the hotel to freshen up and then have a final lunch together before making the drive back to Kaohsiung where the tour ends (approximately 3pm). For those who want to stay longer in Kenting, we can arrange additional accommodation at our lovely tour hotel, plus a range of activities.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Quality, well maintained Giant bikes in a full range of sizes are included in the price of your tour. These bikes are fitted-out to suit the conditions with hybrid tires for smooth touring performance, a wide gear range to help you on any climbs and removable mudguards in case we encounter wet conditions. We also provide you with a helmet and bike pouch.

Comfy Beds

In the larger cities and established tourist centers we use stylish and comfortable hotels and resorts. In the smaller destinations we use simple hotels with air-conditioning and private bathroom, however, in the truly off-the-beaten-track locations, we will stay in guesthouses with shared facilities. We stay here because the ride is worth it! Find out more about the hotels we use on tour in Taiwan.

Expert Guide

Experienced English / Mandarin speaking leaders will host you on this trip - they are well spoken, very knowledgeable, and always charming. Our leaders are often cited as being the main highlight of the tour. We use a mix of local & foreign guides all who have a passion for the country and are always well informed on topics ranging from history, politics, cuisine and importantly local customs and cultures. Our leaders will take pride in introducing you to every aspect of Taiwan and will help you to connect with the villagers you meet along the way. They will also keep your safety and comfort top priorities at all times.

Support Car

An air-conditioned backup support vehicle is always available in case you want a break from riding, and to carry your luggage.

Great Meals

The island’s unique cultural and geographic diversity means that mealtimes are always a culinary adventure in Taiwan. The Pacifc’s rich bounty gives ample opportunity to sample super-fresh seafood, which the Japanese influence has nurtured into a love for sushi, whilst on terra firma the East Rift Valley is home to some of the island’s finest tropical fruit orchards producing dragonfruit, grapefruit, mangoes, oranges, papaya, pomelos and pineapples to name but a few. In the cities, everything is available around the clock, but in remote areas meals typically consist of two or three meat and fish dishes, two or three vegetable dishes, plus staples of rice or noodles, with fruit to finish. Meat dishes are usually chicken or pork, but beef, lamb, boar and other more exotic choices are sometimes on offer. Beer is available almost everywhere, but good wine is more difficult to find. Included meals are listed in the day by day itinerary, and drinking water is always included with meals. Any soft or alcoholic drinks are not included and will be at your own expense.

Snacking

Energy bars and local snacks are provided to keep your energy levels up for the riding, and clean water and electrolyte drinks are always available to keep you well hydrated.

Bonus Kit

A beautiful souvenir Grasshopper cycling jersey is yours to wear and take home.

2 to 14

This tour is guaranteed for a minimum of just 2 travelers. And we limit the group size to only 14 travelers so that you get all the attention you want in an intimate group.

Singles

There is no surcharge for single travelers - we will match you with another same-sex single traveler. If you want a single room there is an optional upgrade that you can book.

E-bike Option

A pleasure to ride, the Giant Fast E+ e-bike is a unique offer for tours in Taiwan - historic home to Giant bicycles. The pedal-assist feature of this lightweight aluminium build expands touring possibilities for all riders and to explore more of the world by bike is a great thing in our books! Find out more about our E-Bikes here.

Giant Fast E+ is an upgrade that can be purchased for this trip, availability is limited and on a first-in basis.

ACCOMMODATIONS

PRIVACY POLICY

GUEST REVIEWS

This was our first bike tour, and it exceeded our expectations. Brad was an awesome guide, and made us feel very safe and comfortable on the bikes and with the route. We were really impressed by his experience and knowledge of Taiwan and travel in general.
We also loved getting fresh local fruit for our snack breaks. We’ll definitely be recommending Grasshopper Taiwan to our friends and will be back for a future tour (after some rest and hill and endurance training to tackle one of your longer and more challenging tours!).

-Katrina & Greg

Simon and Ana were wonderful hosts, who guided us through the amazing terrain of Taiwan. A wealth of local knowledge they were able to enhance the experience with detailed history and quirky information. A wonderful ride and a great way to see Taiwan.

-Anon

Taiwan is a great choice for cyclists! It's extremely bike friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, weather and people that we encountered along the way.

-Nadine

This tour was our first bike tour, and it exceeded our expectations. We had an amazing time and are already thinking of another in a couple of years.

WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT

GRASSHOPPER STYLE

With our experience bringing you high-quality tours in Taiwan, we have carefully crafted this itinerary to expose the highlights of the south, with rewarding cycling, cultural immersion, and gorgeous views. Visit rural indigenous villages for a greater sense of Taiwanese heritage, and come away from this cycling experience with lasting memories and an appreciation for this cycling-friendly country.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. SettingsACCEPT

Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.